Florence Eliza Hales

Died of bronchitis and senility aged 81 in 1891 according to attached death record, widow of William Lilley, journeyman shoemaker. Thomas Clark, son-in-law in attendance.

Daughter of Richard and Ann.

Marriage on IGI

Baptised along with Susan Lilley on the 29th January 1864. Source: Rushden Methodist Circuit Baptisms 1864-1867.

These notes were taken from notes from my [Stephanie Thompson’s] cousin Carolyn Twyman (nee Booker) when she and husband Philip Twyman visited England in 1997. They had met May Berridge on a number of occasions as they lived in UK for some years and visited May often. May had a huge amount of history that she shared with Carolyn and Philip. You have got a photo of Carolyn (nee Booker) and Philip taken with May on one of their visits.

We know that Robert Wright Hales had a 2nd wife Sarah Annie Whiteman b 1876. They married in April/May 1909 in Wellingborough Vol. 3b Page 356. However when Robert died he had a joint gravestone with Eliza his first wife. They are buried in the St Laurence churchyard and the inscription reads:

“In loving memory of Eliza, the dearly loved wife of Robert W Hales of Ditchford Mill who fell asleep in Jesus February 4, 1906. Aged 57 years. Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also. And he praiseth her. Also Robert Wright, husband of above March 2, 1911. Aged 58. At rest”.

Details of Robert’s estate in the index for 1911 read: “Robert Wright Hales of Ditchford Mill Irchester Northamptonshire died 2 March 1911 at Higham Ferrers in the said county. Administration London 9 May to Sarah Annie Hales, his widow. Effects 361 english pounds 7 shillings. Sarah lived at 32 Corporation terrace, High Ferrers, Northants.

From all accounts Sarah Annie Whiteman was a rather severe woman and did not have much to do with his former family. They may have even separated before he died hence his being buried with Eliza. We believe she remarried and lived in Rushden.

According to Richard Hales (he is still alive and we met him a couple of years ago when he was in New Zealand) Robert had a brother who had 2 sons. Will Hales lives in Sharnbrook and Albert Hales died early ‘70’s and his widow Florrie died September 1979. They had 2 sons Fred and Norman. Norman Hales was living at [details removed for privacy] Sandy, Bedfordshire.

Carolyn and Philip have a delightful letter in Eliza’s hand writing. Jon, I am not sure where this letter comes from but I have seen it when we visited with Carolyn and Philip a few months back. I think Carolyn may have got it from May Berridge.

It reads:
“Dear Christian Friends, with pleasure I write a few lines to your respecting my present feelings. I have to thank God that ever I was brought to know myself as a great sinner before God”.........

Notes kindly sent to me by Stephanie Thompson (née Clark)

“Bob and Hilkka lived in a small modern home in Barrow in Furness. He worked on the submarines there. worked for a defence company at some stage and had made a few trips with them to USA for training etc. He was softly spoken and quite a private man. He was very happy with Hilkka, but was discreet about his other family.

“During WW2 he trained with the RAF at Perth, Scotland. His son Michael became a Dr and we think that he practices in Manchester. Steven married Pauline and had a daughter, Lauren. Pauline died in September 1995 and Steven was very distraught. We understand that Bob passed away in 2009 and unfortunately have lost touch with the family since then.”

This information is taken from an email sent to Stephanie Thompson by Philip Twyman who married her cousin Carolyn (nee Booker). They visited with Bob regularly when they lived in the UK.

Percy was Sapper 256065 in the Royal Engineers, WWI 

In 1937, two years after Mary Francis died, he married Gladys Muriel Leslie-Davis in Hammersmith, London

Died at her home 122 Muritai Road, Eastbourne.

Medical notes: died of Hepato-cardiac failure, 6 days, Secondary carcinomatosis liver-months; Primary carcinoma left breast, 5 years, renal failure, 3-4 days as certificate by Dr RM MARTIN.

Cremated Karori Cemetery. (Taken from Ancestors of Carolyn Rosemary Booker notes - 11/2/2012)

“I remember her telling me that she hated the name Rosamund and she has always been known to us as Pat … Her husband Brian was a Policeman and they moved around New Zealand with his job until they finally settled in Gisborne where Brian was promoted to District Commander. They separated a number of years back now and I am not sure if Brian is still alive or not.

“Pat was very good at china painting and I have got some of her plates she has done.  Her sister Phillis (or as she likes to be known Felice) also was a painter and she worked for the Crown Lynn china factory here in Auckland where she did paintings and design work for their dinner services etc. Phillis married her first husband Walter Langford (I sent through a photo) and then they separated for many many years and then I think they remarried.″

Notes from email by Pat and Phillis’s cousin, Stephanie Thompson

“I remember her telling me that she hated the name Rosamund and she has always been known to us as Pat … Her husband Brian was a Policeman and they moved around New Zealand with his job until they finally settled in Gisborne where Brian was promoted to District Commander. They separated a number of years back now and I am not sure if Brian is still alive or not.

“Pat was very good at china painting and I have got some of her plates she has done.  Her sister Phillis (or as she likes to be known Felice) also was a painter and she worked for the Crown Lynn china factory here in Auckland where she did paintings and design work for their dinner services etc. Phillis married her first husband Walter Langford (I sent through a photo) and then they separated for many many years and then I think they remarried.″

Notes from email by Pat and Phillis’s cousin, Stephanie Thompson

Agnes changed her name from Anges to Alyson by Deed in 1976. She married twice. First to Stephen (Steven) Francis Best in 1933 and secondly to Donald (Don) Gordon Topp. Donald was born in 1923 and died in Tauranga on 4 Januarhy 1982

aged 59. Don was a bus drivier for Newmans Bus Company

Daughter of Sidney NORTON and Beatrice Lilian LANGDALE

Married Judith HOWELL on 02 Mar 1978 in Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Chester married Denise Waller in March 1969 in Palmerston North. They were only married for a few months and subsequently divorced. No children.

Judith was previously married and had two sons by her first marriage. Richard and Andrew Court. She was divorced and used her maiden name at the time she married Chester Clark.